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Ajinkya Rahane has been in the news over the past few days. With Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) not performing well, it is only natural that the captain would come under scrutiny. Questions have been asked, and rightly so. Yet Rahane appeared calm and relaxed when he attended the Bengal Pro T20 launch in Kolkata, speaking at length about KKR, the fans, and Eden Gardens.
When I asked him how he tries to evolve with the demands of the format, he shared an interesting story. “For a period, I was given the role of anchor by the teams I was part of, and I focused on performing that role to perfection,” he said. “Then, a few years ago, I realised that the game was changing and that I had to add two or more new shots to my armoury. I can tell you I practised for over a year on these shots and mastered them. I got hit multiple times in the ribcage, but that’s what the sport is all about. You need to put in the hard yards and keep growing. The day you stop doing that, you know it’s over for you.”
Speaking about leading KKR, he highlighted the role of the owner, Shahrukh Khan, and the magic of Eden Gardens and the Kolkata crowd.
“Shahrukh Khan has been great,” said Rahane. “He is much like an elder brother to all of us and, even in times of adversity, has always stood by us. That’s what you look for in an owner. And coming to Eden Gardens, I have to say it is a special place. The crowd has incredible energy and passion, and I have felt it every time I have played here. Even when I have come to play Ranji Trophy for Mumbai, I have seen people come out and support.
“For KKR, the love of the fans is evident every single day. It is an honour to lead the franchise and play for these fans. Wherever you go in the city – not just Eden Gardens – you can sense the passion. The city loves KKR, and I have to say it is a great feeling.”
Throughout, Rahane did not appear fazed. He knows the IPL can be ruthless and that people will jump to conclusions. He is aware that his strike-rate is a topic of much discussion, but so far, at least, he has managed to handle the pressure well. He also knows he desperately needs a couple of good results, failing which the chatter will grow louder. But with Rahane, there will always be effort, and as a leader, he has achieved feats in the past considered improbable, such as winning the Boxing Day Test for India as captain in December 2020. KKR will be hoping for an encore starting April 9.
As we were about to close the event, Rahane walked up to me and congratulated me on the opening of the RevSportz studio. He also promised to come and visit sometime soon. Overall, the vibe was positive, and it was good to catch up with the KKR skipper.
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The post IPL 2026: Rahane Stays Calm Amid KKR Scrutiny, Reflects on Growth and Eden Gardens Magic appeared first on Sports News Portal | Revsportz.
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